The Peshawar bowlers gave nothing away against FATA, who were restricted to just 114 to set up a comfortable chase. PHOTO: ONLINE
KARACHI: Three wickets by right-arm pacer Anwar Ali and a half-century by opener Israrullah helped defending champions Peshawar claim their third match in a row as they crushed a hapless FATA side by seven wickets in the National T20 Cup at the Rawalpindi Stadium yesterday.
Put in to bat, FATA were restricted to a paltry 114-7 as Anwar claimed 3-23 runs in his four overs. The other four Peshawar bowlers were also impressive, with the most expensive figures of the lot being Imran Khalid’s 1-25 in four overs.
In reply, Peshawar reached the target in just 13 overs with seven wickets to spare as Israrullah scored 50 off 30 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes, to build a 70 run opening stand with Rafatullah Mohmand (23 off 16 balls). The stand between Peshawar’s in-form openers ensured FATA never really had a chance of defending an already below-par score.
Rehman skippers Karachi Whites to first win
“We were quite confident of defeating FATA as they are not that strong a team and it was an easy win for us,” said skipper Zohaib Khan.
However, the all-rounder did warn his side of ensuring that they do not suffer an upset in the upcoming matches. “Our next match is an easy one against Lahore Blues, but after watching Karachi Whites defeat Lahore Whites, we have to gear up for it as anything can happen in this format of cricket.”
Peshawar continue winning streak
Karachi Blues complete routine win
In the late match on Wednesday, last year’s losing finalists Karachi Blues registered their second win of the tournament, defeating Lahore Blues by a whopping 51 runs, with former Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal taking four wickets and Shahzaib Hassan scoring a half-century.
Opting to bat first, Karachi Blues posted 174-7 as Shahzaib scored 52 off 37 balls. Just like Peshawar, the Karachi side’s win was founded on a strong 61-run opening stand as Shahzaib combined with opening partner Khurram Manzoor (34 off 23 balls).
Left-hander Fawad Alam then came on towards the end to revitalise the innings with a quickfire 49 off 30 balls.
Chasing 175, Lahore Blues were dismissed for 123 in 19.1 overs as man-of-the-match Ajmal claimed 4-27 and left-arm pacer Rumman Raees took 2-27.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2016.
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